How Did Japan Beat Spain?
Japan was able to surprise the second time in this tournament after winning against Spain. Japan only had 14.7 % possession but with high press and effectiveness, Japan was able to win this decisive match. This Hajime Moriyasu’s side succeed to show the world that Asia needed to be respected.
Formation
Japan, managed by Hajime Moriyasu, used a 5–4–1 formation.
Meanwhile, under Luis Enrique's care, Spain used a 4–3–3 formation.
Japan’s Defensive Block
Japan isolates the Spanish midfielder to block central progression (especially to Busquets) with a 5–4–1 shape.
The Japanese used a man-oriented press and will press aggressively when the ball is on the flank.
Spain’s Build-up
Spain build up with a 2–3–2–3 shape that can change to 2–3–5, with Gavi and Pedri playing in the space between the lines.
Morata who plays as a striker drops to create a central overload and help Spain’s build-up
Due to the Japanese way of defending which closed access to the progression to the middle, Pedri or Gavi dropped to create a wide overload. Pedri/Gavi who drop can also make Balde/Azpi positioned more advanced.
How did Spain break down Japan’s defensive block?
Spain will circulate until there is space created as a result of Japan’s shift in the defensive shape.
Both CBs (Rodri and Pau Torres) became two of the most active players on ball progression via pass + carry (mark stats version) in this match.
These two players became the core of the Spanish game because of Spain’s circulation that tried to shift Japan’s defensive shape.
In fact, Rodri managed to break the record for a completed pass since the 1966 World Cup.
Spain generally attacks with 5 players, both fullbacks can come forward so that Spain can attack up to 6–7 players. This was because Japan was happy (or didn't have a choice ) to wait so Spain had to attack with many players to break down Japan’s defensive block.
Azpi was in the halfspace and had space to cross for Morata, who then scored Spain’s only goal in this match.
This goal is identical to the Morata vs Man United goal, which was also assisted by Azpi when playing together at Chelsea.
Japan’s Pressing System
Japan only did high press at certain moments. When high press, Japan does it with man-marking which turn into pressing traps like this.
Hajime Moriyasu’s team talk in the dressing room after the break =
Searching for a goal, Japan did a high press with man-marking.
Japan also entered new players (Ritsu Doan and Mitoma) to freshen things up at the start of the second half.
Because Unai Simon has a good ball-playing ability, he became an additional player in Spain’s build-up. This made Japan had to put pressure on him.
Japan will press more aggressively when the ball is on the flank, by making pressing traps. This forced Spain to circulate toward their goalkeeper.
Here Japan was outnumbered, but Maeda pressed Unai Simon while cover shadow to Busquets to block his access.
When the ball is on the flank, (as in the previous example) Japan applied a pressing trap and was able to get the ball which was then converted into Japan’s first goal.
The full process of Japan’s 1st goal
Japan recorded fewer high turnovers than Spain, but Japan can be more effective and can score more goals from this situation.
Spain’s Defensive Block
Like the initial formation, Spain defended using a 4–3–3 shape. Spain’s attacker and midfield will do man-marking, while the back line will do man oriented (with the press depending on which side is being attacked).
Spain will also press aggressively when the ball is moved to the flank.
Japan’s Build up
Japan build-up with 3 defenders, with the wingback advancing. Because of that, Kamada (who plays in the winger position), drops to create an overload to help Japan’s build-up.
With a 3/5 defender formation, both wingers are in half space more often, while the wingbacks hold the width.
Japan can also build up with 4 defenders. Morita goes wide to the LB position, so Japan won in numbers in the 1st phase of the build-up (5v4).
In the game of life and death, Japan is looking for the 2nd goal in this match.
In a 3/5 defender formation, Japan also attacks with 5 players. Mitoma and Junya Ito (who both played as a winger at the club level) were played in the wing-back position, supported by Tanaka so that Japan attacks with 6 players while Morita stays central to form the rest defence.
Spain also defended with 5 players (4 defenders + Busquets) but was still outnumbered because the Japanese attacked with 6 players. This created space that could be exposed by Mitoma on the right side of the Spanish defense.
This allowed Mitoma to provide the pass to Tanaka which was successfully converted into a shot.
The full process of Japan’s 2nd goal
Japan included Tomiyasu in the 68th minute, so there were 4 original CB positions in the 5 Japanese defender formation
Luis Enrique also took out one of the players who could duel in the air (Morata), so it was difficult for Spain to create opportunities.
Until the final whistle, Japan was able to defend compactly and made it difficult for Spain to carry out attacks by overloading them so that they won in numbers (numerical superiority).
Japan managed to advance as group E winners and will then face Croatia in the round of 16. We only can hope for a very exciting tie from both nations.
That’s all for today. Thank you for reading this article.
